Comparing Odysseus And Telemachus In Homer's The Odyssey

The Odyssey

The Odyssey is one of the most famous epic poems out there and it’s written by Homer. The Odyssey follows two characters, Odysseus and Telemachus, who have their own journeys which then eventually both journeys collide. Odysseus’s journey is about him trying to make it back to his homeland, Ithaca, whereas Telemachus’s journey is about him searching for news about his father and trying to grow up to become the man everyone hopes for him to be. Since the book focuses on these two characters, I have learned a lot about Telemachus as well as Odysseus. However, Telemachus’s character interests me more which is why he is also my favorite character. Telemachus’s character is interesting because his character development is impressive and his personality is unique, unlike all the other characters.

Being a young boy and not seeing your father for 20 years is probably really harsh. At the palace, the suitors are feasting every day without acknowledging Telemachus. Penelope, Telemachus’s mother, hardly comes out of her bedchamber. Telemachus, being the only child, was left all alone with the responsibility of trying to manage the household. At the beginning of the book, Telemachus can barely speak up for himself and didn’t dare to raise his voice at the suitors. He didn’t even give orders at his own

His personality is very different from the rest. Additionally, he seemed to care about others. For example, when Theoclymenus approached Telemachus and asked for his refuge, Telemachus didn’t refuse and he gladly let him on his ship. Another example would be when he didn’t let the beggar (Odysseus) give him his seat which shows that Telemachus isn’t arrogant or selfish. He also didn’t care about gifts. When Athena told Telemachus that they should go back to Ithaca, receiving gifts was the last thing on his mind. The only reason why he stayed was because Pisistratus said